The best tools for DIY and car care

Everyone needs a good selection of tools in their lives, even if their DIY skills only stretch to changing a lightbulb. No matter your skill level, it’s important to get the best tools for car care possible at the right price. A well-designed, ergonomic tool will make work less strenuous and hopefully quicker, even if it costs more than the no-name brand from the supermarket. A quality tool should also last for an eternity, only breaking if subjected to gratuitous misuse.

There are a lot of tools out there, all with variations and little features that need to be broken down if you’re to get the best set possible. That’s why we’re cutting through the jargon to bring you the best tools that you’ll actually need. The average car owner won’t need a brake bleeding kit or grease gun, but a quality set of spanners and screwdrivers will be a must.

Join us in building our dream toolbox filled with the best hand tools for the majority of DIY tasks and basic car mechanics. We’ll be breaking down what each tool does, why you’ll need one in your life, a selection of brands to trust with your cash and our number one pick for each category. We’ll also include a more budget-friendly option that’s still worth considering.

The best tool shortlist:

• The best screwdriver set: Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60-Bit Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best socket set: Bahco S380 Socket Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best spanner set: Bosch Professional 10-piece Spanner Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best tool kit: Siegen 2 Drawer Tool Chest + 90 Piece Tool Kit – Buy now on Tooled-Up

The best screwdriver sets

The best socket sets

The best torque wrench

The best spanners

The best pliers

The best hex sets

The best tool kits

The best hand tool brands

A first glance at any tool catalogue or a trip down the DIY aisle at a supermarket may have you thinking all tools are basically the same. There’s a reason a hammer looks the way it does, so it can be easy to conclude that all brands are the same when it comes to tools.

Like cars, coffee machines or clothes, though, there are trusted brands that offer small but important nuances to even generic hand tools. From ergonomics to material, there are reasons to spend more on a set of tools, and we’ve broken down the brands we’d trust with our hard-earned cash.

Premium: Wera, Facom, Sielsen, Knipex, Bahco

Mid-range: Bosch, Milwaukee, Sealey

Budget: Draper, Stanley, Black & Decker, Rolson

What to look for in a good hand tool?

Ergonomics – All DIY is in some way strenuous. A bad set of tools can leave your hands calloused and your wrists aching. This is why we place a particular emphasis on ergonomically designed handles for hand tools. Softer handles will cushion your hands while allowing for the maximum torque to be applied. In short, ergonomic tools will make you more efficient and save your hands from discomfort.

Dual uses – It’s always handy when a set of tools can safely and effectively do other tasks. Take screwdrivers as a prime example of this. Quite often, these tools will include hex bits which means they’ll work as Allen keys.

Storage – Not everyone has a double garage to keep their fully-stocked tool chest. In fact, the majority of the time, tool storage will be a pretty big factor to consider before purchasing anything. In these circumstances, looking for a streamlined tool set will be your best bet. Compact options (like those found in a tool roll) may not offer a wide selection of bits, but they’ll take up less room while still being useful.

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Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections – read why you should trust us